Double-sided floorboard assembly

ABSTRACT

A double-sided floorboard assembly includes one or multiple hook members affixed to a support frame bar on a bearing surface, and floor blocks arranged on the support frame bar. Each floor block has opposing front and rear side edges, opposing top and bottom surfaces respectively connected between the front and rear side edges, a first groove and a second groove located on the front side edge, a first rib formed on the front side edge between the first and second grooves, a third groove and a fourth groove located on the rear side edge. and a second rib formed on the rear side edge between the third and fourth grooves. The first rib of one floor block front is superimposed on the second rib of another floor block to define a first gap therebetween.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to floorboard technology and more particularly, to a double-sided floorboard assembly.

2. Description of the Related Art

U.S. Pat. No. 7,546,717B2 discloses “Timber covering for exteriors and interiors”, which includes a plurality of support frame bars (6,7) for mounting on the floor, a plurality of floor blocks (1,2,3) for mounting on the support frame bars (6,7), and a plurality of hook members (10) for securing the floor blocks (1,2,3) to the support frame bars (6,7). Each floor block (1,2,3) has grooves (8,9) respectively located on opposing front and rear side edges thereof for receiving the hook members (10). As illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 of the cited reference, one floor block has a protrusion (16) on the front side edge above the groove, another floor block has a protrusion (18) on the rear side edge above the groove. The protrusion (16) and the protrusion (18) are superimposed on each other, defining a gap (21) therebetween. The superimposed arrangement of the protrusions (16,18) prevents small objects (such as coins, rings) from falling below the floor blocks (1,2,3). The gap (21) formed between the protrusions (16,18) can be used for liquid (such as rain) to slush so that it does not accumulate on the top surfaces of the floor blocks (1,2,3).

However, the floor blocks of such a timber covering need to have different surface designs according to different venues. For example, the timber covering installed on the open platform may be wet due to the possibility of rain, and the top surface of the floor block needs to have a high friction coefficient design (for example, provided with ridges to increase the friction). The timber covering installed indoors or on a balcony with a canopy, because the floor is not slippery and requires a smoother and more beautiful appearance, the top surface of the floor block must have a flat design. The timber covering of the aforesaid U.S. Pat. No. 7,546,717B2 can only be used on one side, it must be designed differently according to different application conditions. The manufacturer needs to hoard various different designs of floor blocks to meet the different needs of users, increasing manufacturing costs. Thus, the use of this design of timber covering is not economical.

Based on the above description, the conventional timber covering till has its inconvenience and needs to be improved.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been accomplished under the circumstances in view. It is the main object of the present invention to provide a double-sided floorboard assembly, which reduces manufacturing cost and increases economic efficiency.

To achieve this and other objects of the present invention, a double-sided floorboard assembly comprises at least one hook member and a plurality of floor blocks. The at least one hook member is affixed to a support frame bar on a bearing surface. The floor blocks are arranged on the support frame bar, each comprising opposing front side edge and rear side edge, opposing top surface and bottom surface respectively connected between the front side edge and the rear side edge, a first groove located on the front side edge, a second groove located on the front side edge at a bottom side relative to the first groove, a first rib formed on the front side edge between the first groove and the second groove, a third groove located on the rear side edge, a fourth groove located on the rear side edge at a bottom side relative to the third groove and a second rib formed on the rear side edge between the third groove and the fourth groove. The first rib of one floor block front is superimposed on the second rib of another floor block to define a first gap therebetween. When the top surface of each floor block faces upward, each hook member is engaged in the second groove of one floor block and the fourth groove of another floor block. When the top surface of each floor block faces downward, each hook member is engaged in the first groove of one floor block and the third groove of another floor block.

Preferably, each floor block further comprises a first top flange and a first bottom flange respectively formed on opposing top and bottom sides of the front side edge so that the first groove is disposed between the first top flange and the first rib and the second groove is disposed between the first bottom flange and the first rib, and a second top flange and a second bottom flange respectively formed on opposing top and bottom sides of the rear side edge so that the third groove is disposed between the second top flange and the second rib and the fourth groove is disposed between the second bottom flange and the second rib.

Preferably, when the top surface of each floor block faces upward, the distance from the second groove of one floor block front side edge to the support frame bar is equal to the distance from the fourth groove of another floor block to the support frame bar. When the top surface of each floor block faces downward, the distance from the first groove of one floor block to the support frame bar is equal to the distance from the third groove of another floor block to the support frame bar.

Preferably, the first rib of each floor block comprises a first inclined side edge. The first inclined side edge extends obliquely from a top surface of the respective first rib to an opposing bottom surface of the respective first rib bottom surface. The second rib of each floor block comprises a second inclined side edge. The second inclined side edge extends obliquely from a top surface of the respective second rib to an opposing bottoms surface of the respective second rib. The first inclined side edge of the first rib of one floor block and the second inclined side edge of the second rib of another floor block are superimposed on each other to define therebetween the said first gap.

Preferably, the first inclined side edge of the first rib of one floor block is disposed in parallel to the second inclined side edge of the second rib of another floor block.

Preferably, the first top flange of one floor block defines with the said second top flange of another said floor block a second gap therebetween, and the first bottom flange of one floor block defines with the second bottom flange of another floor block a third gap therebetween. The first gap, the second gap and the third gap together form a flow channel.

Preferably, the at least one hook member each comprises a mounting portion, two first extension portions and two second extension portions. The mounting portion is affixed to the support frame bar. The two first extension portions are respectively and vertically upwardly extended from two opposite sides of the mounting portion. The two second extension portions are respectively transversely extended from respective top ends of the two first extension portions in reversed direction. The two second extension portions are respectively engaged in the second groove of one floor block and the fourth groove of another floor block when the top surface of each floor block faces upward. The two second extension portions are respectively engaged in the first groove of one floor block and the third groove of another floor block when the top surface of each floor block faces downward.

Preferably, the top surface and bottom surface of each floor block have different coefficients of friction.

Thereby, the user can choose to set the different coefficient of friction of the top surface or bottom surface of each floor block upwards according to different venues, such as an open platform or an indoor floor, to achieve the purpose of double-sided utilization. It is no longer necessary to purchase single-sided floor blocks of different styles or different coefficients of friction depending on the venue. Further, the manufacturer can also design different patterns or different coefficients of friction on the top surface and bottom surface of each floor block, and provide them to consumers according to different needs, which not only reduces the inventory of the products, but also increases economic efficiency.

Other advantages and features of the present invention will be fully understood by reference to the following specification in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference signs denote like components of structure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an oblique top elevational view of a double-sided floorboard assembly in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a part of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an elevational view of a part of the present invention, showing the mounting relationship between the hook member and the support frame bar.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a part of the present invention, illustrating the top surface of the floor block faced upwards and the hook member engaged in the second groove of one floor block and the fourth groove of another floor block.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a part of the present invention, illustrating the top surface of the floor block faced downwards and the hook member engaged in the first groove of one floor block and the third groove of another floor block.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a part of a double-sided floorboard assembly in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention. Illustrating arc-shaped configuration of first and second inclined side edges

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIGS. 1-4, a double-sided floorboard assembly 10 in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention is shown. The double-sided floorboard assembly 10 comprises at least one hook member 20 and a plurality of floor blocks 30.

The at least one hook member 20 is affixed to at least one support frame bar 40 of a bearing surface. The number of the at least one support frame bar 40 is plural in this embodiment. The support frame bars 40 are elongated members of hollow or solid design. In this embodiment, the multiple support frame bars 40 are arranged in parallel to support the multiple floor blocks 30. The number of the at least one hook member 20 is plural in this embodiment. One support frame bar 40 allows setting thereon a plurality of hook members 20, and the hook members 20 are spaced along the longitudinal axis X of the support frame bar 40 by a predetermined distance and respectively affixed to the support frame bar 40. The hook members 20 are used to secure the floor blocks 30 to the support frame bar 40. More specifically, the hook member 20 is generally U-shaped, comprising a mounting portion 22, two first extension portions 24 and two second extension portions 26. The mounting portion 22 is fixedly fastened to the support frame bar 40 using a fastener 28 (such as screw, screw bolt and nut) or by welding. The two first extension portions 24 are respectively and vertically upwardly extended from two opposite sides of the mounting portion 22. The two second extension portions 26 are respectively horizontally extended from respective top ends of the two first extension portions 24 in reversed directions.

The floor blocks 30 are arranged on the support frame bars 40 and secured to the support frame bars 40 by the hook members 20. Each floor block 30 has opposing front side edge 32 and rear side edge 34, opposing top surface 36 and bottom surface 38 respectively connected between the front side edge 32 and the rear side edge 34, a first groove 322 located on the front side edge 32, a second groove 324 located on the front side edge 32 below the first groove 322, a first rib 323 formed on the front side edge 32 between the first groove 322 and the second groove 324, a first top flange 321 and a first bottom flange 325 formed on opposing top and bottom sides of the front side edge 32 so that the first groove 322 is disposed between the first top flange 321 and the first rib 323 and the second groove 324 is disposed between the first bottom flange 325 and the first rib 323, a third groove 342 located on the rear side edge 34, a fourth groove 344 located on the rear side edge 34 below the third groove 342, a second rib 343 formed on the rear side edge 34 between the third groove 342 and the fourth groove 344, and a second top flange 341 and a second bottom flange 345 respectively formed on opposing top and bottom sides of the rear side edge 34 so that the third groove 342 is disposed between the second top flange 341 and the second rib 343 and the fourth groove 344 is disposed between the second bottom flange 345 and the second rib 343.

The top surface 36 and bottom surface 38 of each floor block 30 have different coefficients of friction. More specifically, the top surface 36 and bottom surface 38 of each floor block 30 can be designed differently according to different needs, for example, anti-slip strips, bumps, or a plurality of split grooves may be provided on the top surface 36 to increase the friction, and the bottom surface 38 may be polished so that the bottom surface 38 is relatively flat, beautiful, and has a low coefficient of friction. Further, different patterns can be designed on the top surface 36 and bottom surface 38 of each floor block 30 to meet the needs of consumers.

The assembly procedure of the floor block 30 and the hook member 20 is explained hereinafter.

Multiple floor blocks 30 can be placed across multiple support frame bars 40 in parallel with each other. The front side edge 32 and rear side edge 34 of each floor block 30 are perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the support frame bar 40. Each hook member 20 is disposed between the front side edge 32 of one floor block 30 and the rear side edge 34 of another floor block 30. Referring to FIGS. 2 and 4 again, when the top surface 36 of each floor block 30 faces upward, the hook member 20 is engaged in the second groove 324 of one floor block 30 and the fourth groove 344 of another floor block 30. More specifically, the two second extension portions 26 of each hook member 20 are respectively engaged in the second groove 324 of one floor block 30 and the fourth groove 344 of another floor block 30, and the two first extension portions 24 of each hook member 20 are respectively abutted against the first bottom flange 325 of one floor block 30 and the second bottom flange 345 of another floor block 30, further, the distance H1 from the second groove 324 of one floor block 30 to the support frame bar 40 is equal to the distance 112 from the fourth groove 344 of another floor block 30 to the support frame bar 40, i.e., the distance H1 from the top surface of the first bottom flange 325 of one floor block 30 to the support frame bar 40 is equal to the distance H2 from the top surface of the second bottom flange 345 of another floor block 30 to the support frame bar 40.

Referring to FIG. 5, when the top surface 36 of each floor block 30 faces downward, the hook member 20 is engaged into the first groove 322 of one floor block 30 and the third groove 342 of another floor block 30, more specifically, the two second extension portions 26 of the hook member 20 are respectively engaged into the first groove 322 of one floor block 30 and the third groove 342 of another floor block 30 rear side edge 34, the two first extension portions 24 of the hook member 20 are respectively abutted against the first top flange 321 of one floor block 30 and the second top flange 341 of another floor block 30, further, the distance 113 from the first groove 322 of one floor block 30 to the respective support frame bar 40 is equal to the distance 114 from the third groove 342 of another floor block 30 to the support frame bar 40, i.e., the distance 113 from the top surface of the first top flange 321 of one floor block 30 to the respective support frame bar 40 is equal to the distance 114 from the top surface of the second top flange 341 of another floor block 30 to the respective support frame bar 40.

When the hook member 20 is engaged into the second groove 324 of one floor block 30 and the fourth groove 344 of another floor block 30 (the top surface 36 of each floor block 30 faces upward), or when the hook member 20 is engaged into the first groove 322 of one floor block 30 and the third groove 342 of another floor block 30 (the top surface 36 of each floor block 30 faces downward), the first rib 323 of one floor block 30 is superimposed with the second rib 343 of another floor block 30 to define a first gap 50 therebetween. This arrangement prevents small objects (such as coins, rings) from falling below each floor block 30. More specifically, the first rib 323 on the front side edge 32 and the second rib 343 on the rear side edge 34 exhibit a complementary concave and convex structure. In this embodiment, the first rib 323 on the front side edge 32 has a first inclined side edge 326. The first inclined side edge 326 obliquely extends from the top surface of the first rib 323 to the bottom surface of the first rib 323. The second rib 343 on the rear side edge 34 has a second inclined side edge 346. The second inclined side edge 346 obliquely extends from the top surface of the second rib 343 to the bottom surface of the second rib 343. The first inclined side edge 326 and the second inclined side edge 346 are disposed opposite to each other and face toward reversed directions. The angle of inclination of the first inclined side edge 326 relative to the longitudinal axis X of the support frame bar 40 is equal to the angle of inclination of the second inclined side edge 346 relative to the longitudinal axis X of the support frame bar 40. Therefore, the first inclined side edge 326 and the second inclined side edge 346 are substantially parallel to each other. The first inclined side edge 326 and the second inclined side edge 346 are superimposed on each other to define a first gap 50 therebetween. More specifically, the first inclined side edge 326 and the second inclined side edge 346 are interposed to form the first gap 50 therebetween.

Referring to FIG. 6, in a second embodiment of the present invention, the first inclined side edge 326 and the second inclined side edge 346 are in a complementary arc shape. Therefore, as long as the first inclined side edge 326 and the second inclined side edge 346 can form the first gap 50 therebetween and can superimpose on each other, the contours and shapes of all the first and second inclined side edges 326, 346 should be covered by the present invention.

Further, either each floor block 30 is disposed with the top surface 36 facing upward or downward, a second gap 60 is defined between the first top flange 321 of one floor block 30 and the second top flange 341 of the respective another floor block 30, and a third gap 70 is defined between the first bottom flange 325 of one floor block 30 and the second bottom flange 345 of the respective another floor block 30. The first gap 50, the second gap 60 and the third gap 70 together form a flow channel 80. The flow channel 80 can be used for liquid (such as rain) to slush so that it does not accumulate on the top surface 36 or bottom surface 38 of each floor block 30.

Thereby, the user can choose to set the different coefficient of friction of the top surface 36 or bottom surface 38 of each floor block 30 upwards according to different venues, such as an open platform or an indoor floor, to achieve the purpose of double-sided utilization. It is no longer necessary to purchase single-sided floor blocks of different styles or different coefficients of friction depending on the venue. Further, the manufacturer can also design different patterns or different coefficients of friction on the top surface 36 and bottom surface 38 of each floor block 30, and provide them to consumers according to different needs, which not only reduces the inventory of the products, but also increases economic efficiency.

Finally, it must be explained again that the constituent elements disclosed in the foregoing embodiments of the present invention, as well as the terms “first, second, third, fourth, front, and rear” are merely illustrative and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, alternatives or variations of other equivalent components shall also be covered by the scope of the present invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A double-sided floorboard assembly, comprising: at least one hook member affixed to a support frame bar on a bearing surface; and a plurality of floor blocks arranged on said support frame bar, each said floor block comprising opposing front side edge and rear side edge, opposing top surface and bottom surface respectively connected between said front side edge and said rear side edge, a first groove located on said front side edge, a second groove located on said front side edge at a bottom side relative to said first groove, a first rib formed on said front side edge between said first groove and said second groove, a third groove located on said rear side edge, a fourth groove located on said rear side edge at a bottom side relative to said third groove and a second rib formed on said rear side edge between said third groove and said fourth groove, the said first rib of one said floor block front being superimposed on the said second rib of another said floor block to define a first gap therebetween; wherein when the said top surface of each said floor block faces upward, each said hook member is engaged in the said second groove of one said floor block and the said fourth groove of another said floor block; when the said top surface of each said floor block faces downward, each said hook member is engaged in the said first groove of one said floor block and the said third groove of another said floor block.
 2. The double-sided floorboard assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein each said floor block further comprises a first top flange and a first bottom flange respectively formed on opposing top and bottom sides of said front side edge so that said first groove is disposed between said first top flange and said first rib and said second groove is disposed between said first bottom flange and said first rib, and a second top flange and a second bottom flange respectively formed on opposing top and bottom sides of said rear side edge so that said third groove is disposed between said second top flange and said second rib and said fourth groove is disposed between said second bottom flange and said second rib.
 3. The double-sided floorboard assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein when the said top surface of each said floor block faces upward, the distance from the said second groove of one said floor block front side edge to said support frame bar is equal to the distance from the said fourth groove of another said floor block to said support frame bar; when the said top surface of each said floor block faces downward, the distance from the said first groove of one said floor block front side edge to said support frame bar is equal to the distance from the said third groove of another said floor block to said support frame bar.
 4. The double-sided floorboard assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first rib of each said floor block comprises a first inclined side edge, said first inclined side edge extending obliquely from a top surface of the respective said first rib to an opposing bottom surface of the respective said first rib bottom surface; said second rib of each said floor block comprises a second inclined side edge, said second inclined side edge extending obliquely from a top surface of the respective said second rib to an opposing bottoms surface of the respective said second rib; the said first inclined side edge of the said first rib of one said floor block and the said second inclined side edge of the said second rib of another said floor block are superimposed on each other to define therebetween the said first gap.
 5. The double-sided floorboard assembly as claimed in claim 4, wherein the said first inclined side edge of the said first rib of one said floor block is disposed in parallel to the said second inclined side edge of the said second rib of another said floor block.
 6. The double-sided floorboard assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein the said first top flange of one said floor block defines with the said second top flange of another said floor block a second gap therebetween; the said first bottom flange of one said floor block defines with the said second bottom flange of another said floor block a third gap therebetween; said first gap, said second gap and said third gap together form a flow channel.
 7. The double-sided floorboard assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least one hook member each comprises a mounting portion, two first extension portions and two second extension portions, said mounting portion being affixed to said support frame bar, said two first extension portions being respectively and vertically upwardly extended from two opposite sides of said mounting portion, said two second extension portions being respectively transversely extended from respective top ends of said two first extension portions in reversed direction, said two second extension portions being respectively engaged in the said second groove of one said floor block and the said fourth groove of another said floor block when the said top surface of each said floor block faces upward, said two second extension portions being respectively engaged in the said first groove of one said floor block and the said third groove of another said floor block when the said top surface of each said floor block faces downward.
 8. The double-sided floorboard assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the said top surface and bottom surface of each said floor block have different coefficients of friction. 